Challenge 2

Objective

In Roomba Challenge #2, The Maze, the Roomba must navigate a similar set of pathways as in Challenge #1. While most of the maze can be navigated via dead reckoning (like Challenge #1), use of additional sensors will be required to find the exit the Maze. Sensors that the teams may want to explore how to use include the wall sensor and other bump sensors.

The Maze will start off somewhat like that of Challenge #1, however it will be 12x12 and require additional smarts to get out of. It will be set up for practice by the Feb 11 (location TBA).

Implementation Challenges

Now that you have become more familiar with the Roomba programming environment, you should now be able to develop more complex uses of the senors, as well as implement more advanced algorithms to aid you in exploring a richer worlds...! Program your Roomba from one end to other and, if you are smart, discover well hidden pathways to hasten your endeavor! The primary areas of concern in this challenge are such:

Detecting short-cuts that may be harder to 'sense' with basic algorithms

Because the layout of this maze will be provided for you (though with less time than the first maze), this maze allows you to use a combination of dead-reckoning and autonomy. You should already have a good feel of what needs to be done to move the Roomba in whichever direction you need, so the challenge here is to exersize some insight into what will allow Roomba to see what you see if you were the one walking through the maze, and then translate such a thought process into a behavior. This maze differs from the first maze in that some degree of autonomy must be achieved in order for Roomba to find its way through the maze. However, you, Roomba's all-knowledgeable, omnipotent deity, knows the layout of the maze... so a good approach would be to guide Roomba through the certain parts of the maze that can be easily traversed via conventional dead-reckoning, and then write a behavior to sense its way through a specific obstacle, whether that be a short-cut or a traffic circle (aka roundabout, as they call them in the UK).